Bright lights, big cities, summits, and chopsticks


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Asia » China
October 3rd 2006
Published: October 3rd 2006
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After 2 weeks in China it is readily apparent that this is the most difficult country I've ever traveled in. The language barrier is simply impossible which makes everything a struggle. If I can eat 3 decent meals, find a not too shabby hotel with hot water, cross 8 lanes of traffic without a near death encounter, use a clean toilet, and procure a bus or train ticket then the day is an unqualifi... Read Full Entry



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Tiananmen Square and People's MonumentTiananmen Square and People's Monument
Tiananmen Square and People's Monument

Staggering crowds as if 13 million residents of Beijing aren't enough.
Summer Palace, BeijingSummer Palace, Beijing
Summer Palace, Beijing

Buddhist Fragrance Pavillion in the distance.
Behei Park, BeijingBehei Park, Beijing
Behei Park, Beijing

White Dagoba, Jade Islet. Built in 1651 for Dalai Lama. The area was Beijing's power center before the Forbidden City.
Jiu Long Bi, Behei ParkJiu Long Bi, Behei Park
Jiu Long Bi, Behei Park

Nine Dragon Screen - very old ceramic tiled wall.
Great Wall snaking off to apparent infinityGreat Wall snaking off to apparent infinity
Great Wall snaking off to apparent infinity

It is really quite a sight and we had the place almost to ourselves. Serenity to be savored in China for sure.
Tower along Great WallTower along Great Wall
Tower along Great Wall

These are spaced every 100-200 meters and very spartan inside.
Hanging Monastery near Datong, Shanxi provinceHanging Monastery near Datong, Shanxi province
Hanging Monastery near Datong, Shanxi province

Built right into the cliff about 1400 years ago.
Hanging MonasteryHanging Monastery
Hanging Monastery

Also known as Xuankong Si.
Clinging onto Xuankong SiClinging onto Xuankong Si
Clinging onto Xuankong Si

Pretty decent exposure.
Yungang Caves, DatongYungang Caves, Datong
Yungang Caves, Datong

Home to 50,000 mostly intact Buddha statues
50 meter high Buddha, Yungang Caves50 meter high Buddha, Yungang Caves
50 meter high Buddha, Yungang Caves

Small statue keeps Buddha's right arm from collapsing.
Another incredibly huge statueAnother incredibly huge statue
Another incredibly huge statue

Along with the second largest incense sticks you ever saw.
Yungang CavesYungang Caves
Yungang Caves

Also fragment of an old wall preceding the Great Wall.



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